Recipe Monday: A Vegan Barbecue

The Fourth of July holiday is coming up, and that means one thing: Barbecuing! (Also: America!)

If you’re hosting a get-together this weekend and want to expand your repertoire beyond your typical burgers and hot dogs to something a little more adventurous (and inclusive to your veggie buddies), look no further than our vegan-friendly grilling guide.

Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a sauté pan over medium heat. Cook chopped onion and garlic until translucent. Use a wooden spoon to mix in brown sugar until it dissolves and begins to bubble. Add the sherry vinegar and allow it to reduce for about 5 minutes. Add cayenne pepper, Tabasco sauce, and ketchup and bring to a simmer. Stir occasionally. Pull pan off the burner and stir in the Dijon mustard and Worcestershire sauce.

Remove the corn from its husks and cut into rounds. Melt the butter in a pan over medium heat and add corn. Cook for about 3 minutes per side. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add the vegetable oil to the pan and turn to high heat. Cook the spinach until it begins to wilt. Place the seitan in a large skillet. Cover the seitan with BBQ sauce. Cook thoroughly. Mix in toasted hempnuts.

* Most pre-made Worcestershire sauce isn’t vegan; here’s a great option if you’re looking for one made without anchovies, or check out this one if you’d prefer to make your own.

For Dessert: Grilled Pineapple with Coconut Ice Cream

Ingredients:

1 whole pineapple

½ vanilla pod

½ cup agave nectar

½ cup fresh mint

2 key limes

Coconut ice cream

To make:

Have ready a medium-hot grill. Holt the pineapple upright, and cut off the rind but not the top. Cut the pineapple in half and remove the central core. Set aside on a cookie sheet. Scrape the seeds of the vanilla pod into the agave nectar and simmer the pod with the nectar for 5 minutes on medium-low heat. Drizzle the nectar over the pineapple. Slice the vanilla pod in half down the center then into 8 lengths.

Insert the vanilla into the pineapple by making slits in the pineapple at even intervals. Grill, rounded side down, for 15–30 minutes, depending on the intensity of the flame. Turn and sear the flat side for 5–10 minutes.

Crush the mint in a mortar until it resembles a paste but is not completely liquid. Remove the pineapple from the grill and allow to cool slightly. Cut one lime in half, and the other into 8 slivers, squeeze the halved lime over the pineapple. Cut the pineapple into equal portions, place on plates with ice cream, and serve with sprinkles of mint and a slice of lime.